Taiwan Air Quality Remains Poor

The Environmental Protection Administration says the air quality in Taiwan remained extremely poor today and is expected to stay that way into Tuesday.

The EPA said air quality in the western part of the country was in the unhealthy range, with PM 2.5 level reaching the hazardous level of 10 in southwestern Taiwan.

The PM 2.5 index is defined as air pollution that contains fine particles smaller than 2.5 millimeters in diameter and is linked to several chronic health problems.

In western areas of central and northern Taiwan, the PM 2.5 pollution levels were 9 and 7 respectively, according to the EPA.

It said the poor air quality was due to poor conditions for atmospheric dispersion — meaning little wind — and was expected to continue into Tuesday, although the levels might improve slightly, the EPA forecast.

Taiwan has been experiencing poor air quality since Saturday in large areas of the country.

According to the EPA, level-10 PM 2.5 concentrations are considered extremely high, but measurements above level 7 are deemed severe enough to cause tangible discomfort and health problems.

Given the air quality, the elderly and those with chronic lung problems or heart disease should avoid prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical activity, the EPA advised.

People with asthma may also need to use the inhalers more often, the EPA said.